Critical technologies, globally, in May 2024
In May of 2024, news coverage of critical technologies – those deemed essential for the security, development and maintenance of a society – touched on items and issues in fields spanning: artificial intelligence in quantum computing; space launch and satellite systems news, from constellations to reusable launch vehicles; developments to 1.6 nanometers in semiconductor manufacturing; and many more.
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IISS: Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2024
- “Generative AI is one of the best things that has happened to quantum computing… They are two perfect partners.” / read it here
- Qualcomm partners Ampere Computing semiconductor startup to focus on artificial intelligence chips for cloud services, looking to reduce energy costs / read it here
- ‘Global chips battle intensifies with $81 billion subsidy surge’ / read it here
- Not just export controls: Semiconductors, manufacturing equipment, electronic design automation software, and EDA process design kits / read it here
- The Exploration Company, a French-German firm, looks to develop Europe’s first reusable space capsule to deliver cargo to space stations, delivering payloads up to 4000kg / read it here
- Xona Space Systems preps Pulsar low-orbit satellite constellation as a commercial GPS alternative, potentially costing less to operate whilst delivering sharper geolocation data / read it here
- Japanese research consortium announces 6G milestone with world-first 6G wireless device capable of transmitting 100 gigabits per second / read it here
Critical technologies, quarterly – Q1 2024
- South Korea and AUKUS grouping recently discussed the country’s possible participation in technologies-focused Pillar 2 activities / read it here
- “Australia has the chance to resolve the problems the AUKUS partners and their friends and allies have with critical minerals, particularly with rare earths…” / read it here
“India’s elections are a glimpse of the AI-driven future of democracy. Politicians are using audio and video deepfakes of themselves to reach voters…” / read it here
- Google’s rolls out AI-focused tools including SynthID watermarking, capable of detecting AI-generated fake images and false audio / read it here
- China: A look at the recently-unveiled Xiaohong, a 504-qubit quantum computing chip running systems to be made available to researchers globally via state-owned telco / read it here
Myanmar Digital Coup Quarterly February to April 2024
- Researchers at Melbourne and Manchester universities unveil breakthrough technique for manufacture of highly-purified silicon, critical for quantum computers / read it here
- Taiwan: Researchers developed a method to potentially reduce a quantum computer’s size by 40%, incorporating TSMC 28nm tech for low-temperature operation / read it here
- Australian gov’t makes near $1BN investment in quantum tech firm, PsiQuantum, with sights on delivery of the country’s first quantum computer / read it here
Indonesia election: Artificial intelligence’s influence on democracy
- Australia: University of Sydney awarded $18.3M federal grant over 4 years to establish research and commercialisation group for the country’s quantum sector / read it here
- China: Computer startup, SpacemiT, unveils RISC-V chip-based laptop, primarily aimed at hardware engineers, developers and DIY enthusiasts, and potentially retailing near $300 / read it here
- China: SMIC and others now asking customers and developers to screen for and adopt domestic supplies of all inputs, to both localize supply chains and end foreign presence / read it here
- South Korea: $7.3 billion support program unveiled to boost semiconductor-related facility investment and R&D / read it here
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to commence production of 1.6-nanometer chips by 2026 / read it here
Flight Critical: Drones, cyber security & critical infrastructure
- India: Zoho SaaS giant to make semiconductor industry bid with planned investment of $700M in chipmaking, with eyes also on gov’t subsidies / read it here
- South Korea: Gov’t unveils $7.3BN program aimed at boosting facility investment and R&D across all semiconductor-related fields, including packaging / read it here
- China: Two chip firms reportedly now in early production stages for high bandwidth memory semiconductors used in AI chipsets, a major step in tech self-sufficiency / read it here
- Taiwan’s TSMC to commence construction of its first Europe facility in Q4 2024, with production at Dresden in Germany expected in 2027 / read it here
- Taiwan’s TSMC ‘does not necessarily need to use’ ASML High NA EUV machines for upcoming A16 generation of chip technology, baulking at price tag / read it here
- IC Taiwan Grand Challenge opens for project submissions, seeking integrated circuit design innovations and chip-based applications / read it here
Australia: National Quantum Strategy
- India: Lam Research, a US semicon major, to expand India presence for global semiconductor fabrication equipment supply chains / read it here
- More on Mindgrove Technologies, RISC-V firm producing system-on-chip units for mid-level devices / read it here
- Inside TSMC’s Arizona expansion troubles: “Missed deadlines and tension among Taiwanese and American coworkers are plaguing the chip giant’s Phoenix expansion. / read it here
- US Dep’t of Commerce now reviewing national security implications of China’s work in open-standard RISC-V chips tech / read it here
Mongolia Mining Report 2024
- Malaysia: A bit more on Blue Chip Capital’s semiconductor industry investment plans, aiming to fund at least 10 startups through $210M fund / read it here
- India: Mindgrove Technologies semicon startup rolls out India’s first commercial high-performance system-on-chip based on RISC-V open-standard architecture / read it here
- Japan: An overview of the country’s revitalized investment focus in advanced technologies / read it here
“Among China’s new fleet of satellites are several ‘fast movers’: satellites that roam the GEO [geosynchronous Earth orbit] belt, drifting back and forth among the ‘stationary’ ones.” / read it here
- China’s experimental reusable spacecraft released an unknown object into orbit during its third mission, with authorities releasing no images, description or acknowledgement / read it here
- A brief overview of China’s space launch facility expansion plans, boosting Hainan commercial spaceport with 2 new launch pads, and possibly plans for 10 / read it here
Truth & reality with Chinese characteristics: CCP propaganda systems
- Indonesia: Elon Musk and Health Minister launched SpaceX satellite internet service, aiming to improve access to health services in remote areas / read it here
- The 2024 India Space Congress is set for June 26-28, organised by Satcom Industry Association India / read it here
- India: Agnikul Cosmos now to launch its 3D-printed, semi-cryogenic Agnibaan rocket in late May, early June, following canceled April launch due to tech issues / read it here
- Taiwan: An overview of the nation’s moves to establish a satellite network of 700 hot spots for communications in emergency situations / read it here
- Taiwan: An intro to TiSPACE, space-tech firm in rocket manufacturing and launch services, and component production for international clients / read it here
- Germany’s HyImpulse completes launch of SR75 rocket from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, marking milestone for AU commercial launch capabilities / read it here
Stormwall: Q1 2024 report on DDoS attacks in Asia-Pacific
- Taiwan Space Agency to launch 6 low Earth orbit satellites from 2026, the first via SpaceX, as part of government bid to boost resilience of the nation’s communications / read it here
- Serbia Ministry of Science, Tech Development & Innovation inks MOU with China’s space administration on cooperation on China’s International Lunar Research Station / read it here
- India: Chandrayaan-4 moon sample mission prep now underway with Indian Space Research Org’n working on plans for the follow-up to last year’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing / read it here
- Taiwan: “By the end of 2024, 700 hot spots will be established across the island to allow for satellite communications during emergency situations …” / read it here
- Taiwan Space Agency to launch 6 low Earth orbit satellites from 2026, the first via SpaceX, as part of government bid to boost resilience of the nation’s communications / read it here
- China launches first satellites for a medium Earth orbit broadband constellation, potentially capable of connecting to low Earth orbit megaconstellations in development / read it here
ASPI: Countering the Hydra – an Indo-Pacific hybrid threat centre
- South Korea’s Perigee Aerospace, a small space launch vehicles startup, partners Swedish Space Corporation to expand operations in Europe / read it here
- Serbia Ministry of Science, Tech Development & Innovation inks MOU with China’s space administration on cooperation on China’s International Lunar Research Station / read it here
- India: Chandrayaan-4 moon sample mission prep now underway with Indian Space Research Org’n working on plans for the follow-up to last year’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing / read it here
- Taiwan: “By the end of 2024, 700 hot spots will be established across the island to allow for satellite communications during emergency situations…” / read it here
- China: An overview of recently-announced space research missions, touching on lunar far-side astronomy, astrophysics, solar pole observation, exoplanets and gravitational wave missions / read it here
Enhancing the security of Singapore’s submarine cables
- Australia: Victorian state gov’t fund, Breakthrough Victoria, draws US stratospheric near-space exploration firm, World View, to Melbourne in $37M deal / read it here
- China: Shenzhou-17 crew return to Earth after six months aboard Tiangong space station, with completion of 84 in-orbit experiments and collection of 400 material samples / read it here
- China: May 3rd launch approaches for Chang’e-6 launch to collect first set of lunar far-side samples, building on technical, engineering, scientific and communications tech of past missions / read it here
Critical minerals: “…there are clear ongoing efforts, including by China’s state-owned entities, to extend their nation’s monopoly by controlling Australia’s rare earths deposits…” / read it here
- “The company’s [NVIDIA] main revenue driver, data center products, reached a record $22.6 billion, up 427% on the year.” / read it here
- 3rd Malaysia-China Joint Committee Meeting on Science, Tech & Innovation Cooperation concludes with commitments to collaborate on research in key areas including space tech, AI, blockchain and advanced materials / read it here
Stormwall: Q1 2024 in Review – DDoS cyber attacks report
Asia’s tech news: Other editions
Our other tech news editions and formats span the range from daily to quarterly, and are available on a range of platforms so as to provide readers with the widest array of reading options.
